Methods and systems for recovering dangling data in a nr leg of a split bearer

Abstract

A method for handling data, dangling in a new radio (NR) leg of a split bearer, by a user equipment (UE) is disclosed. The method comprises predicting occurrence of NR uplink (UL) leg switch; sending a buffer status report (BSR) pertaining to protocol data units (PDUs) in radio link control (RLC) layer and media access control (MAC) layer in the NR leg based on predicting the occurrence of NR UL leg switch; and initiating recovery of dangling PDUs in the NR leg after the occurrence of the NR UL leg switch, wherein the recovery includes sending the dangling PDUs to a long term evolution (LTE) leg of the split bearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Indian Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 201941042176 (PS), filed on Oct. 17, 2019, in the Indian Intellectual Property Office, and to Indian Complete Patent Application Serial No. 201941042176 (CS), filed on Oct. 5, 2020, in the Indian Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND1. Field[0002]Embodiments herein relate to Uplink (UL) leg switching in split bearer networks, and more particularly to methods and systems for enabling recovery of data that is dangling in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) UL leg or a New Radio (NR) UL leg, due to UL leg switch.2. Description of Related Art[0003]In split bearer networks, there are possibilities, wherein an Uplink (UL) leg switch can be triggered by a network to switch UL transmission by a User Equipment (UE). The network can trigger the UL le...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent provides methods and systems for enabling a user equipment (UE) to recover data that is dangling in a New Radio (NR) network. The UE can predict when the network is likely to trigger a NR uplink (UL) leg switch and can clean the NR buffer by sending dangling data to the network. The network can also send indications to the UE about the network triggering the NR UL leg switch. Overall, the patent enables efficient recovery of data and reduces data duplication in the NR network.

Problems solved by technology

Further, if a PDCP discard timer expires, the UE is likely to discard the packets, which may result in data loss and a drop in throughput.

This is likely to lead to Radio Link Failure (RLF).

Due to fluctuating network conditions, if the network continues to vary (increase / decrease) the allocation of UL grants in both the legs, there is a possibility of encountering a PDCP sequence number gap during UL transmission.

The fluctuating network condition also causes frequent dangling of data in the LTE / NR Uplinks.

The frequent dangling of data results in a drop in the UL throughput.

This may result in dangling of data, as the PDCP is likely to continue send data to the NR RLC and NR MAC as long as the UE is having UL grants on the NR leg irrespective of the number of UL grants available to the UE.

The PDUs in dangling condition have to be discarded, which contributes to data loss and degradation of the throughput.

The throughput loss is likely to increase, if the condition of the NR UL channel fluctuates rapidly due to transmitter power limitation, obstruction, phasor angle mismatch, and so on.

This may lead to NR link disconnection.

Images